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Before summer began, we participated in Calling it Home’s One Room Challenge linking event. We tackled our outdoor living spaces – transforming and updating our porches. Part of our plan was to paint and install shutters to the exterior of our home. Time got the better of us, and we had the shutters painted but just couldn’t get them hung on the house in time for the big reveal.

Well guess what?! The shutters are up!

I really can’t take credit for this project. My husband thrifted all of the shutters for our home. He actually salvaged them from the numerous tear-downs that are occurring in our neighborhood. He’d drive by a house that was doomed for the dust, and he’d stop and check out the shutters. Right material? Right size? Most shutters now are plastic. We really wanted wood shutters, and love the satisfaction that comes from thrill of the hunt and then salvaging a perfectly good piece of architectural detail.

We are so happy with how it all looks – and we’re looking forward to some cooler weather around the corner so we can actually enjoy sitting on our porches again! (Humidity in DC in August is horrrrrible!).

We also spray painted our old doorknocker, and turned it into a more glamorous gold pineapple.

We repainted our vintage mailbox with a fresh coat of black paint.

We repainted our Adirondack chairs and made them a candy apple red. We added flag art that our kids painted, and a stars and stripes pillow on the rocker to pull it together.

We found these cool antique brass tags at an antique store and attached one to each chair.

Our screen porch was the largest job. We had a contractor re-frame, screen, and replace the door. We painted the floor, and added our decor. We are LOVING this space and the boys enjoy eating their breakfast outside.

I found the vintage rattan furniture and purchased new cushions and a rug. The little table – you’re not going to believe this – was only THREE DOLLARS at our preschool resale fundraiser. I figured that I couldn’t go wrong for $3, and I can replace it anytime and not feel guilty about it. But it’s actually the perfect size for the kids to sit at and it doesn’t take up too much room in this small space.

It totally bugs me that the contractor said we had to wait several months before we could paint the wood framing because the wood had to dry out. (?) I’m just going with it – and we’ll go through and repaint all the white trim next year.

To style the table, I shopped my own Pursuing Vintage Shop inventory. I picked up some brass candle holders and a blue and white small jardiniere.

We added a “K J” planter (our initials). The planters were used at our outdoor wedding (7 years ago in September!).

And, of course, I’ll be drinking many glasses of wine in my new porch – and this bottle bears our family name, so it’s the perfect first bottle to enjoy on the porch!

I am so happy with all of the work we did, and the impact all these little updates had on the exterior of our home. We gained a living space, increased curb appeal, and cleaned up some areas of neglect. We have a few things we’d still like to accomplish this summer, such as painting the porch ceilings and hanging the shutters (they’re painted and ready to go!). But there are several months of warm weather ahead of us, and this six week challenge has got me on a roll!

Hellllloooo WEEK FIVE! Here we are, five weeks into the One Room Challenge Linking Event! I am so pleased with all that my hubby and I have accomplished this past week. Some quick background information: I am updating and giving makeovers to my front porch, side screen porch, and back porch. You can see the original master plan here.

A lot of details, and I don’t want to spoil the big reveal next week, so here are a couple of glimpses.

Check out this pretty bargain I picked up at Marshalls! It was … wait for it … on CLEARANCE! Total score!

A also added some plants to the screen porch (you’ve already seen this sneak peek if you follow me on Instagram!).

We have also spent a fair amount of time painting this past week. My hubby has been painting the shutters using Modern Masters Front Door Paint. It’s super easy to use, and is looking great!

I started painting our front door another shade of red. Not a huge change, but the old coat of paint was worn and it was a task that needed to be done. As with the shutters, I’m using Modern Masters Front Door Paint – the fabulous color is called “Sophisticated”. (I’ll be writing about the whole painting experience in more detail after the ORC is over – be sure to stop back!).

I’m so excited with how everything is turning out, and I just can’t wait to show you next week at the big reveal!